Invasive Species
I am an invasive species that kills things that eat me with poison.
cane toads
I am the contamination of the environment with substances that are harmful to life
pollution
I am an important part of maintaining marine (underwater) biodiversity. I grow on coastal areas
Coral reefs
I am a large coral reef found at the Yucatan peninsula
Mesoamerican reef
How do coral reefs protect biodiversity?
They provide food and shelter for many marine animals.
The kudzu vine was originally imported from where?
Japan (East Asia)
I am an organism introduced to an ecosystem from somewhere else. I destroy the ecosystem by outcompeting the local population for resources
invasive species
Name two ways we can protect biodiversity
clean up pollution, plant trees, use renewable energy
Name two ways in which coral reefs benefit an area economically
fishing, tourism
How does the rock eating parrotfish protect the coral reefs?
Cane toads were initially introduced in order to do what?
Eat beetles that were destroying crops
Name two examples of habitat destruction
Cutting or burning down trees, draining wetlands, etc.
Climate change reduces biodiversity in coral reefs. Name three methods to help prevent climate change
Use renewable energy sources (sunlight, wind, water), Avoid fossil fuels, use public transportation, use less energy in the home. use electric stoves instead of gas stoves, etc.
True or false? Coral reefs can protect from floods and ocean storms
True
Higher water temperatures lead to this phenomenon in coral reefs
coral bleaching
Kudzu was originally meant to be used as a _____________ crop.
Forage
Name two gases from class that contribute to climate change
carbon dioxide and methane
Name another invasive plant species besides kudzu
purple loosestrife
Coral reef is made out of this compound, secreted by polyps
calcium carbonate
I am an invase species of beetle that has destroyed over 40 million ash trees in the United States
Emerald Ash borer
Name two ways with which an invasive species destroys the local ecosystem
Killing prey animals (overpredation), Killing predators (cane toad), outcompeting local population for resources, etc.
I am the overuse of a natural resource
overexploitation
How would the cutting down of trees in Brazil contribute to coral reef destruction?
Trees remove carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) from the air. Without trees to remove the carbon dioxide, it stays in the air and traps heat, which raises ocean temperatures and causes coral reef destruction
Each coral colony is composed of tiny animals called ____________.
polyps
Name three ways an oil spill can destroy marine life
Can cause animals to ingest it accidentally, cause hypothermia in birds and mammals, stunt fish growth, etc.